Cordyceps Infected is one of those cards players keep asking about. Here is, in plain words, what its official text says, the rulings published by Wizards of the Coast, and the combos players actually run.
Complete guide
The Cordyceps Infected is a specialized token creature that represents the spreading fungal threat in Magic: The Gathering. While these Fungus Zombies are simple 1/1 creatures, their presence on the battlefield is often a byproduct of unique commander abilities. Understanding how they enter the fray is key to managing a growing horde.
What it Does
A Cordyceps Infected is a 1/1 black Fungus Zombie creature token. Because it has no natural mana cost, its mana value is 0. While the token itself has no special abilities, the cards that generate it often force it to enter the battlefield already attacking, skipping the usual steps of declaring attackers.
Resolving the Infection
When an effect like 'Distract the Horde' triggers, the Cordyceps Infected is created directly on the battlefield. If the effect states it is 'attacking,' you must choose which player or planeswalker it is attacking as it enters. This happens during the Declare Attackers step, but because the token enters after attackers are already declared, it does not trigger 'whenever this creature attacks' abilities.
Common Mistakes
A frequent error is assuming you get to choose to keep the token back as a blocker when it is created via an attack trigger. If the ability says it enters 'attacking,' it must do so. Additionally, remember that these are tokens; if they leave the battlefield for any reason, such as being returned to a hand or destroyed, they cease to exist and cannot be brought back by graveyard recursion.
When to Use the Horde
Since these tokens are often generated for free by your opponents' actions or your own spell casts, they are perfect fodder. They can be used to chip away at an opponent's life total, or as sacrificial pieces for cards that require you to give up a creature for a greater effect.
Interaction examples
When you cast Abby, Merciless Soldier for four mana, her triggered ability goes on the stack. Upon resolution, you create four 1/1 black Fungus Zombie creature tokens named Cordyceps Infected. Then, Abby herself enters the battlefield under the control of an opponent you choose. You keep the tokens, while your opponent gets the soldier!
OrnithopterWith Ellie, Brick Master on the battlefield, you attack an opponent with Ornithopter. This triggers Ellie's 'Distract the Horde' ability. You create a Cordyceps Infected token that is tapped and attacking that same opponent. Even though the token was never 'declared' as an attacker, it is currently attacking and will deal damage during the combat damage step.
Walking Ballista
Cordyceps InfectedIf your opponent has a Cordyceps Infected token, you can use Walking Ballista to deal with it easily. By removing one +1/+1 counter from Walking Ballista, it deals 1 damage to the token. Since the token has only 1 toughness, the damage is lethal, and the Cordyceps Infected is destroyed and removed from the game.
Guide written with AI from the official text and rulings. Official English text prevails.
How it works : Cordyceps Infected
Original English text — Wizards of the Coast / Scryfall
No additional ruling has been published for this card.
Interactions with other cards
These cards' text mentions Cordyceps Infected.
Distract the Horde — Whenever a player attacks one of your opponents, that attacking player creates a tapped 1/1 black Fungus Zombie creature token named Cordyceps Infected that's attacking that opponent. Partner—Survivors (You can have two commanders if both have this ability.)
When you cast this spell, create a number of 1/1 black Fungus Zombie creature tokens named Cordyceps Infected equal to the amount of mana spent to cast it. Abby enters under the control of an opponent of your choice. Partner—Survivors (You can have two commanders if both have this ability.)
Related cards and tokens
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Meta decks with Cordyceps Infected
No archived Top 8 deck with this card yet.